Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-08-12
AT HIGH NOON.

There was not more daring and activ,
scout in Bazatne's army than Picrr,
Danton.
When Pierre volunteered 10 Slip int,
Quinquamho, Ia see what the MeNican'
were doing. II never occurred to him thai
there was the slightest danger.
OuinqUambo was little mountain vii
lage, with a small garrison, and Pierre
determined TO appear in the role Of de
I serter- The son of Il Spanish mother, ht
did not look much like Il FrrnChman, and
spoke the language Of the country like a
native.
But there was one thing that the scout
| had not thought Of. Col CampoS then
commanding the post Of Quinquambo had
| served ON the eastern coast in the early
part Of the war. II Pierre had known
this fact he would have blown ont his
brains rather than play the spy in the vi
| cinty of the terrible CampoS.
AT sunrise the Frenchman walked bold
| ly into the village and gave himself up TO
| the first sentinel he met.
His story was plausible enough. He
had lost faith in NaNimilian and his
cause. and had grown weary of hard fight
ing and sCanty ratiOns. Moreover, he
had fallen in love with black eyed scunr
ita. and could no longer bear arms against
Mexico.
The sentinel called corporal. and the
story was repeated. To these simple sol
diers it seemed that the deSerter was tell
ing the truth. and nothing hut the truth.
"Ah. that French devil, Bazainer' said
the corporal, he is frightened, is he not:'
"Courradc." replied Pierre, won have
spoken truly. Bazaine is in despair His
men are deserving by hundreds They
have nothing 10 eat, and the usurper Is
without moner TO pay them"
In few weeks they will he driven
into the sea" said the enthusiastic cor
poral.
You speak like prophet" answered
the spy.
In the presence of Col Campos the
Frenchman measured his words. The
veteran listened without showing any in
terest or surprise. His brown, leathcry
face never changed its expression, and his
eagle eyes Were apparently tiNed upon the
ground.
And you would serve the republic he
asked, coldly.
TRY me- was the enthusiastic re-
sponse.
How am TO know that your story is
trues''
let me swear - began Pierre.
''Nor' shouted the colonel in n voice Of
thunder.
The officers and soldiers gave a start of
surprise, and for the first time Pierre felt
uneasy.
Bind him hand and footr' was the un-
expected order.
Despite his protestations two men car
Il
then braced the prisoner in n sitting pos
ture against n convenient wall
"A year ago" said Campos, Il cap
tured that fellow near Vera Cruz. | shot
OF the little finger on his right hand, and
he marked me here on the forehead with
his saher. The villain escaped that night,
but another prisoner told me all about
him He is not a soldier. He is a spy.
He has caused more trouble than any
other man in Bazaine's army. Now,
Pierre Danton, what have you 10 say
The colonel is mistaken" said Pierre
Il never saw him before. and | am no
spy. My name is Jean Rouville."
Look exclaimed a soldier
A glance showed that the prisoners
right little finger was missing.
Only a coincidence. muttered Pierre
We'll. SsilAl ttlbIAtl
mo court martial is wanted here" and
the grim soldier walked off.
Securely pinioned as he was, Pierre saw
that he could not escape. His eyes roved
restlessly about, but there was nothing to
encourage him.
The barharians," he Growled. They
will butcher me in cold blood. l doubt
whether they will he kind enough 10 hang
the chances are that he is even now in
venting some diaboliCal torture. Well. il
is the fortune of war"
Quinquambo did not look very interest
ing to the spy as he sat there propped up
against the colonei's headquarters. There
was a plaza and few scattered houses
around it, except on one side, where they
had been destroyed by fire. There were
no citizens The inhabitants had aban-
doned the town, leaving it TO the garrison.
There are not more than 300 Of the
yellow rascals," unused the spy. Lord
Wouldn't like TO see some of our cavalry
come along. They would take the place
in the twinkling Of an eye
Just then two soldiers came along. and
lifting Pierre in their arms. carried him
to the center OF the plaza. The captive at
IEet tEtukAt mum tohlt- buN
the men proceeded in sullen silence TO tie
him TO the mouth of the solitary cannon,
an old fashioned twelve FOUNDER, pointed
at the vacant side Of the square. They
lashed him with his breast TO the muZzle
of the gun SO securely that il was impos-
sible for him to move.
Pierre thought of the brutal British
fashion Of blowing Indian rebels from the
l.. 3D. rI,nfb
he was to be serv." in tine same wa.
at will be talked about all over Mex
ico," said Col. Campos. coming up. The
French will get il into their heads that
they are all 10 he treated in this way, and
very few will lie willing 10 face such a
death"
soldiers after the colonel had gone, does
he mean it;'
.When the MONDAY sun strikes that
replied the soldier. lit will he all over"
Pierre looked and noted an iron frame
work over the breech of the gun. On the
top of this was round object SO bright
and dazzling that it made his eyes blink.
Il do not understand" -" he said.
The burning glass there" explained
the soldier lis 50 placed that it fires the
powder exactly dt NOON. IL never ldlIS.
The victim shuddered. There was
something horrible in the idea Of being
killed by the bright luminary whose rays
had all his life given him light and
warmth.
He knew that even in the large cities of
Mexico what was called the midday gun
was fired in this ingenious fashion during
the dry season. For six mOrths in the
year there was never cloud in the sky,
opd tho orrinD of the lens WAS nS Surp "a